🗓️ Best Months:

• June – September: Ideal weather, snow-cleared roads, and open high passes.
• October – May: Roads may be closed due to heavy snowfall, especially at Rohtang Pass & Baralacha La.

⏳ Ideal Duration:

• 7–10 days: Covers all major attractions with enough time for acclimatization.
• 10–12 days: Recommended for a relaxed itinerary with offbeat stops.

🛣️ Recommended Route:
✅ Srinagar → Sonmarg → Drass → Kargil → Leh → Nubra Valley → Pangong Lake → Sarchu → Manali

📍 Major Stops & Distances:

• Srinagar – Sonmarg (80 km)
• Sonmarg – Drass – Kargil (120 km)
• Kargil – Leh (210 km)
• Leh – Nubra Valley (160 km)
• Nubra – Pangong Lake (230 km)
• Pangong – Sarchu (250 km)
• Sarchu – Manali (220 km)

🛂 Required Permits:
✅ For Indian Tourists:

• Inner Line Permit (ILP) – Required for Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri. Can be obtained online or in Leh.
• Rohtang Pass Permit – Needed if traveling from Leh to Manali.

✅ For Foreign Nationals:

• Protected Area Permit (PAP) is mandatory for certain restricted regions.

📍 Where to Get Permits?

• Online: Ladakh Permit Website
• Offline: Leh DC Office or Tourist Information Centers.

🏔️ Acclimatization Tips:

• Spend at least 2 days in Leh before heading to high passes.
• Stay hydrated & avoid alcohol to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
• Carry Diamox (after doctor’s advice) for altitude sickness.
• Drive slowly & avoid overexertion.

📍 Must-Visit Attractions:

🌄 Srinagar – Kargil:

• Dal Lake & Houseboats (Srinagar)
• Sonmarg & Zoji La Pass
• Drass War Memorial (Drass)
• Kargil War Memorial

🏔️ Leh & Nearby:

• Magnetic Hill & Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
• Shanti Stupa & Leh Palace
• Khardung La (World’s Highest Motorable Road)
• Nubra Valley & Hunder Sand Dunes (Bactrian Camel Safari)

🏕️ Pangong Lake – Sarchu – Manali:

• Pangong Lake (3 Idiots Movie Spot)
• Tso Moriri Lake (Less crowded than Pangong)
• More Plains & Gata Loops (Famous hairpin bends)
• Baralacha La & Rohtang Pass (Snow-covered in winters)

🚀 Adventure & Fun:

• Camping at Pangong Lake & Sarchu ⛺
• River Rafting in Zanskar River (Leh) 🌊
• ATV Ride & Camel Safari in Nubra Valley 🐫
• Biking through high passes (Khardung La, Zoji La, Baralacha La) 🏍️
• Trekking to Tso Moriri & Stok Kangri Base Camp 🥾

🍽️ Best Cafés & Restaurants:

☕ Srinagar:

• Ahdoos Restaurant – Best for authentic Kashmiri Wazwan.
• Chai Jaai Tea Room – Beautiful tea café near Dal Lake.

🍛 Leh:

• The Tibetan Kitchen – Best for momos & thukpa.
• Bon Appetit – Great ambiance with rooftop views.

🍲 Manali:

• Johnson’s Café – Amazing trout fish & pizza.
• Café 1947 – Riverside café with live music.

🎒 Essential Packing List:
✅ Clothing: Warm jackets, gloves, thermals, raincoat (weather varies).
✅ Footwear: Sturdy trekking shoes.
✅ Documents: ID proof, permits, insurance.
✅ First Aid: AMS medicines (Diamox), general meds, bandages.
✅ Gadgets: Power bank, extra batteries, offline maps.

🏍️ Yes, it’s one of India’s best bike trips!

• Best bikes: Royal Enfield 350/500, Himalayan, KTM Duke.
• Carry spare parts, extra fuel & repair kit.
• Wear protective riding gear for safety.

🌿 Hidden Gems:

• Turtuk Village – The last Indian village near Pakistan border.
• Hanle Village – Stargazing paradise with India’s highest observatory.
• Zanskar Valley – Remote & untouched beauty.
• Chushul & Rezang La War Memorial – Historic Ladakh spots.

💻 Remote Work Possibility:

• Manali has great Wi-Fi cafés & co-working spaces.
• Leh has slow internet; best for short remote stays.
• Power cuts & limited mobile network can be an issue in Ladakh.